Apple Podcasts are slow or failing to load after iOS 17.4.1 update

I am simultaneously very relieved and further annoyed to discover I am not alone here. I have been checking for software updates incessantly since this started happening, and I am increasingly giving up and switching to a different podcast app. I was afraid my phone was going downhill fast, even though nothing else has this problem and I have a ton of free space. The problem doesn’t just happen for me when loading the app but also often when switching between pages or clicking on anything really. And the quick pause/play button button on the drop-down and Lock Screen disappears way more often, so I HAVE to try to pull up the app again to unpause what I’m playing.

Apple podcasts will not download unless I reboot. I need to do this every am; it works fine for the rest of the

day. Same thing next day, reboot and then they download I phone 15, running lastest download.

This is a pain Apple. Fix this.......................

I don't want to delete and reinstall. I would lose all of my shows.

This happened to me a couple of updates ago. Since then I haven’t experienced the problem

I suggest trying to uninstall the podcast app and then reinstalling it. Also, when was the last time you rebooted your phone?

Unless you have a particular reason for needing Apple's Podcast app, I'd suggest you try one of the much better third-party apps available in the App Store. I really like Pocket Casts. I've been using it for years and have never had an issue with it. There are other well-reviewed ones if that doesn't meet your needs.

I would try uninstalling podcast app then reinstalling. Also, when is last time you rebooted your phone?

I’m unable to delete podcasts from queue iPhone 13 after system update to 17.4.1